Machine and method for sealing incandescent lamps



Jan. 12 ,-1926." 1,569,185

J. J. HIGGINS MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SEALING INCANDESGENT LAMPS INVENTOR I JOHN HIGGINS ATTORNEY Jan; 12 ,1926. I 1,569,185

' J. J. HIGGINS MACHINE AND METHCD FOR SEALING INCANDES'CENT LAMPS Filed Jan. 10, 1925 2 Sheets- Sweat L2 ATTORNEY iii Patented am. T2,

TOT-TN JOSEPH HIGGINS, OEEAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AElSTGNOR TO WESTINGE HOUfiE LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SEALING. INCANDJESCEN'E LAMPS.

Application filed January 10, 1923, Serial uueiraai.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN Josnri-i HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, and aresi' dent of East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines and Methods for Sealing Incandescent Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

reducing the amount of dexterity andskill' heretofore required. I

A further object is to reduce the time element for the consolidating operation and to increase production and cheapen the cost of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description. I

Considerable difficulty arises in the manufacture of incandescent lamps of certain types, such as the miniature lamps, which are often 'used in portable a 'iparatus'employing dry batteries. Heretofore, a common method of uniting the glass parts and sealing-in the leading-in wires, was to position the leading-in wires between the edge of the neck of the bulb and to suitably heat the neck and the end of a glass tube, whereupon the two glassbodies were moved until their plasticportions made contact and a weld was produced by the cohesion of the melted material, the leading-in wires being embedded in the fused portion and, consequently, secured therein when such portion hardened.

The above operation required a relatively high degree of skill, not always obta nable, and, in the event of the improper manipulation of the parts, leaky seals and consequently considerable shrinkage resulted.

, The present invention provides a method and apparatus whereby the edge-to-edge or butt-seal is avoidedand a tube may be dis posed concentrically within the neck 'ofa bulb, the leading-in wires being positioned between the bulb and the tube and in substantially diametrically opposite relation.

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Heat may then be applied locally to the neck,

of the bulb which is softened, as well as the end of the tube disposed therein. A considerable mass of material is, therefore, provided, about the neck of the bulb and rela; tively long portions of the leading-in wires are embedded in this mass, therefore, the

area of the leading-in wires incontact with the glassis sufficient to permit the proper wetting .of the metal by the glass and, therefore, to reduce the amount of leakage' In the manufacture of miniature flash lamps, it'has heretofore been necessary to form a constriction inthe tube which is secured to the bulb, particularly when manu-' facturing' lamps by the so called butt-seal method, The constricted portion is formed by heating a section of the tube until plastic llll Bil

and then elongating the tube, thereby pro- ,viding a section having a relatively small,

diameter; This diametrically reduced portion of the tube facilitates the operation of tipping-oft or sealing the lamp after it has been evacuated.

In the present invention, however, it is possible'to dispense with the operation of forming a constriction since a tube of a relatively small diameter may be employed.

Such diameter is approximately. that produe-ed at, the constriction ofthe larger-size tubes employed with other methods. The tipping-off may therefore, by reason of the small-calibre tube ll am able to employ, be accomplished in a practical and convenient manner at a great saving oflabor and time. f .This desirable result may be attained since, by my method of sealing, the tube is flit inserted within the neck of the bulb, and it Will be evident that the tube used maybe efa diameter reduced by a dimension at least equal to twice the thicknessof the wall of the bulb neck;

Another advantage of the invention consists in the proper disposition of the'leadingously increasing the cost of pr'qduction. 4

'The present. invention provides for 'the proper positioning of the wiresin such a manner. that they will be set and firmly disposed against the tube, so that, when the tube and bulb are rendered plastic, no resilient action will'exist to disturb the proper union of the two bodies. Futhermore, when the tubeand bulb neck, with the interposed wires, have been heated and rendered plastic,'the fused material is permitted to flowjfreely,*and an effective union of the parts is produced. However, at the proper moment, a blast of air, preferably heated,

. directed through the tube, and a communi t lation' is preferable. Such apparatus may;

eating assage ororifice between the tube by the time p astic portion has become hardened and a union of the parts produced. After the consolidation of the suitable manner.

I have found that, in order to carry out my method, an apparatus for properly sup-* porting the several elements in -a given rein'clude means for properly retaining the mount, with the leading-in wires thereof.

properly disposed between the neck of the bulb and the tube. .It is desirable to prov ide grooves or guidesfor the leading-in wires of such construction that, when the'wires are in position 'to besealed into thelamp,

preferably contiguous to the tube.

Various methods'have been employed for uniting the several parts of a lamp, that is, in'consolidating the glass exhaust tube with the neck of the glass bulb. In some methods, a tubular member or mandrel is used,.the mandrel being inserted into the exhaust tube of the lamp to maintain'a communicating'passage between the tube and the .bulb

after the sealing operation has been per-' formed. The-removal of, the mandrel after sealing necessitated an operation. which was more 'or less difficult and -.which involved the expenditure of a considerable amount of an operators time.

In thepresent invention, a fluid, as, for instance, compressed air, is utilized'to maintain the required opening at the sealand provide an orifice between the bulb and tube after their consolidation. 1

It has been found, however, that the most desirable results are obtained by introduc-' ing the air 'at a predetermined stage ofthe sealing-in operation. For example, heat may be applied to the neck of the bulb having the end of an exhaust tube disposed therein, leadin -in wires being interposed between the neo I and tube. The glass parts permitted to flow or and bulb neck are e ectively united in a I common wall, with the leadingein wires em- .1

parts, they may be: subjected to an annealing operationinany posing a mount in a the bedded therein. 'gWhen this stage is reached a'. .blast of heatedair is directed through the tube and into thebulb, thus preventing a complete closure of the tube at the seal. A As the air is. discharged into the tube, the consolidated parts are moved from the fire and cooled, and the opening between the bulb and tube is maintained for the subsequent operation of evacuating; the bulb v The bulb, with the exhaust tube united thereto, is then ready to be exhausted. When exhausting a'miniature lamp ,of the most and ion b is maintained. The bulb may,-at-. this'time, be ermitted to begin to cool'and,

tlie orifice has beenformed, thecommonly used type, the'tipping-oifopertube. 'If, however, a bulb having a neck of uddle, thus, 'the tube extra-large diameter is employed the usual constriction maybe formedv in the exhaust tube in the usual manner. The filament of a mount, as used in the miniature lamps, must be properly ositioned. within a bulb.- The position 0 the filament or light source is usually in the plane of the eatest' diameter ofthe bulb;

' The manu ac ture ofbulbs for miniature lamps requiresa certain amount of accuracy,

however, when the bulbs are produced, the

necks thereof, although oftheproper l neal dimension are not always'cut in the proper plane, namely, transversely to the axialline of the neck.

Several machine elementswhich support A,

the assembled? parts of a lamp may be rotated as a unit during the application of heat, which-rotation tends toward uniformity at the sealed portion.

My invention, therefore, not only contemplates the provision of mechanism for properly supporting the tube and for disiven relation thereto, t other "machine'e ements for the automatic adjustment of a bulb to osition it in a given relation to a mount. elements may comprise gripping members which secure a bulb about its spherical surface, lifting the edge of the neck portion thereof from a temporary seat and so suspending the bulb that the edge of the neck plays no part in its adjustment with relation to the mount. By the provision of an automatic means for adjusting a bulb, an operator may more rapidly assemble the parts, with the exercise of a minimum amount of skill.

parts results in a more uniform product. A

The mechanical adjustment of the bulb with respect to the other uch machine The invention will be more fully under stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, m which;

Fig. 1 is. a view, in elevation, of the sevill]! incense eral component parts of a miniature lamp positioned for the sealingoperation;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the several parts eta lamp after they have been united;

Fig. '3 is a similar view showing the united,

parts and indicating the position of a nozzle for directing a current of air through the'exhaust tube;

Fig. 1 is a view, in elevation, of a head adapted to support the several parts of a at on an enlarged scale, partly in section, to

show aws for gripping leading-in wires;

Fig. 7 s a PTSLII'VIBW, partly diagrammatic, ot a machine tor intermittently rotating heads such as shown in Fig. 4c; and,

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the machine shown n Fig. 'i', certain parts being omitted'to more clearly illustrate other parts;

A. lamp ot the character to which the pres ent invention relates may, as shown in Fig.

1, comprise an exhaust tube 10, a mount 11 and a bulb 12. The bulb may be provided with an extended annulus or neck 13, and

the tube employed may have an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter ot-the neck 13,- sufiicient space being protill till

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vided tor the disposition of leading-in wires 1t and 15 ol the mount 11, therebetween.

W hen the several parts have been properly positioned, suitable fires 16, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, are caused to impings upon the neck portion'o't the bulb '12 in which an end 1'2 ot the tube 1.0 is concentrically disposed. The fires 16, disposed at opposite sides of the work parts, may be employed when the heating operation is performed while the work is not rotated or if it is desired to reduce the time oi heating. However, as'will be hereinafter shown, only one fire may be used when the work is rotated. The leading-in wires are so placed as to have a portion of their lengths positioned between the inner surface of the neck 13 and the outer surface of the end 17 of tube 10.

The fires 16 are caused to heat locally the component parts of the lamp until they" have become plastic with semi-fluid adjacent portionsand united by their coherent property. The leading in wires 13. and 14 will thus become embedded in the molten material. The action occurring is that similar to a union oi 'glass parts by a puddling operation, and the plastic material is heated for a sufiicient interval of time and with the proper intensity to permit the proper and thorough union of the neck portion 13 of the bulb 12 and the end 17 of the tube 10.

When a consolidation of theglass parts has been effected and just as the lamp is removed from the fires, ablast of air, issuing from a nozzle 18, is directed through-the exhaust tube 10 and into the bulb 12- for the purpose of preventing a .closureof the'aperture within the exhaust tubeand thus maintaining a communicating orifice 19 for the subsequent exhausting operations. I

vA preferred mechanism for'handhng and automaticallyperforming the above opera.- tionsmay comprise a head 21, Fig. 4, cohr prising a standard or frame of'any desirable.

construction. The one shown. may include two vertical support members23 and 24, the member 24: being of tubular fornito. constitute a guide bearing to support ashaft, the

purpose of which? will be "later described.

The support members are connected, at their lower ends, by a cross-piece 25 and, near their upper ends, by a bridge 26. Integral with the bridge and centrally disposed between the supports 23 and 2a, is a sleeve 27 having its vertical axis coincident with the vertical axis of thehead. Extending downwardly andsuitably secured to the crosspiece 25, is a hollow shaft 28 having a triotion wheel or end. a

" Extending upwardly and threaded to the pulley 29 fastened to its lower cross-piece 25 is a tubular member 31 which i is connected, at its upper end, to a cylindrical member or tube holder 32. holder 32 is secured in the sleeve 27 by set screws 30 and is provided with a suitable axially disposed aperture 33 into which an exhaust tube 10 may be inserted, so as to position the interior .of the exhaust tube in alignment with a passage 34 in the member 32, which passage is in communication with the interior of the tubular member 31,3vl1i0l1, in turn, communicates with the hollow shaft 28. Thus, air may be directed through the lower end otthe' shaft 28 upwardly through the exhaust tube 10, when positioned in the holder 32. Means for efl'ecting the passage of air will be later described.

The upper end of the tube holder 32. is provided with a seat 3:7 tor temporarily supporting a bulb when positioned with its end thereon; The bulb may, however, be

subsequently gripped between a pair of jaws The tube the, arm 45 and to a lug 47, integral with or by automatic means including asuitable the cross-piece 25, serves normally to maintain the cam plate42'in a position trans verse to the path of-movementof the'j'aws- 36 and37, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5.: Thus, thejaws,'by reason'of the spring 46,

will be normally maintained in a closed position to grip an object inserted therebe tween. The cam plate 42 may be oscillated to engage the shank 48 of'the jaw 36 and the shank 49 of the jaw 37, thereby effecting a separation of the jaws for the release of an object. The shaft 43 may. oscillated by the 'movementof a lever arm 51 secured to the lower end'of the-shaft 43.

The lever-"may beactuated either by hand cam.

Inthe illustrated embodiment, the lever 51 is provided with 'a roller 52, adapted to engage a suitable cam surface 53 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and more clearly shown in Fig. 7. YA more detailed descrip-- tion will presently be given.

Y When an exhaust tube is positioned-hitheaperture 33, a mount 11 may be disposed thereover, with the leading-in wires 14 and 15 positioned. adjacent the exhaust tube and lengthwise thereof. Suitable grooves 54 and 4 55, se'eFig. 6, are provided" in the wall of the aperture to receivethe lower ends of the leading-in wires. 1 'l- Heretofore, difliculty. has been ex erienced in properly positioning the lea ing in wires with respect to the exhaust'tube, 'prior to the sealing operation, and it has been found advantageous to maintain a portion of the leading-in wires in close contact with the exhaust tube during the sealing operation- For this purpose, a pair of jaws or pressing members 56 and 57 may be provided to engage. the leading-in wires and press them against the exhaust tube. The

' jaws may be pivoted on pins 58 mounted.

in the upper end of the tube holder 32. Each jaw may be provided with a slotted arm 59 pinned to the upper ends of rods 61, the lower ends of the rods being secured to a reciprocable sleeve 62, slidably disposed upon the tubular member 31.

The sleeve 62 is normally urged upwardly by aspring 60 disposed between the lower end of the sleeve and the upper side of the heads 21 through the several stages or o era- 'tions essential to the sealing-in of al After. exhaust tube and leading-in wires have -been properly disposed, a bulb "12 may be placed .over the mount, with the "neck thereof in concentric relation to the upper end 17 of the exhaust tube. Owing to manufacturing inaccuracies, the bulbs, as

1 provided, may not have the edge of the neck thereof uniform, that is, .irregularities in the surface may occur. Thus, when a bulb is placed over the end of the exhaust tube and the edge thereof is displosedon the seat e bulb may not of the tube holder 32, t be properly positioned to.dis cse thejifilar ment'of the mount in proper rel I For the purpose of properly adjusting the bulb, thejaws'36 and 37 are provided with contacting surfaces 40 of such configuration or with contact points so 'disposedas to properly engage the outer surface of the bulb, and a closure of the jaws serves to lift the bulb from the seat and properly position'and secure vit for the sealing-in operation. One form of machine for-carrying the is shown in Figs. 7 and 8.-' As illustrat such machine may include a sup orting men thereto- 1 structure or table having a centra 1 disposed shaft 7 1 secured in a socket 72. otatably disposed uppn the shaft 71 is a spider or conveyor 73 aving a pluralit of arms 74 terminating in hubs 75. Hea s '21, such as illustrated in Fig. 4, may have their shafts 28 'dispos ed rotatabl in thehubs 75, and the lower portions of t e cross pieces 25 may serve to provide bearing surfaces. A

" The conveyor 71 may be intermittently rotated by means of a Geneva movement 76 comprising the, usual slotted. member or driven wheel 77 and a driver 78 having a roller 79 to engage slots 810i the member- 7 7. The member 77 may be .suitabl secured to the s ider 7 3 and may be rotatable about the sha t 71, a collar 80 being provided to afford a bearing surface and prevent down- I ward movement of themember 77. Motion maybe transmitted to the driver 78 from any suitable source of power, for instance, a-

motor (not shown) through a shaft 82, the driver being mounted on a vertical shaft 83 and providedwith a worm wheel 84 dis posed in mesh-with a worm 85 secured'to the driving shaft 82. Rotation of the shaft' 82 will, therefore, by virtue of the Geneva movement 76, cause an intermittent rotation of the conveyor 73.

' Itis desirable to rotate the heads 21 at several of the rest stages of the conveyor 73 throughout a cycle of its movement. At such stages, friction wheels 29 may be engaged by driving wheels 86 located at one orv more pointsadj-accnt the path of travel of the heads. The driving wheels 86 may be rotated by means of an endless belt 87 recourse I supplemental drivingshaft 88. Motion may .be translated .to the. driving shaft 88 through the main driving shaft 82, which is provided with a beveled gear 89 disposed in mesh with a beveled gear 01 secured to a vertical shaft 92. The shaft 92 is geared to the shaft 88 by a spur gear 94: secured to the a ob shaft 92'and disposed in mesh witha gear secured to the shaft 88. p 1

Burners 96, 97, 98 and 99 may be provided at the several. rest stages of the conveyor to suitably heat the work parts during their rotation with the heads, when the friction wheels .29 engage the driving wheels. When the several parts have been heated and are uniting, a current of air is directed upwardly from nozzle 18, through shaft 28 and through the exhaust tube 10.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, air may be received from a pressure line 101 which may be normally closed by reason of a slide valve :2 adapted to close the connection between the supply line 101 and a passage 103 terminating in the nozzle 18, which is so positioned as to lie below the path of move ment. of the lo'w er end of the passages in the shafts 28 of the heads. Thus, when the heads are successively positioned over the nozzle 18 at the end of a movement, air may be permitted to dow upwardly through the exhaust tube ot a lamp to maintain an openlag between the exhaust tube and the bulb; 1t is o1? considerable importance to effect this discharge of air at the proper point; and lor given time interval.

llt has been found that a quick and relatively intense blast or air is desirable, and means are provided for operating the valve 102 to etl'ect this proper discharge. Such means may consist 011 a slide rod 104: hav ing a. transverse aperture 105' therethrough', the rod being movable to malie communication between the line 101' and the passage 103. The slide rod ltll-is, however, normally urged to close the passage through the action oil a spring 106, disposed between a collar 107 secured to the rod and an end of a bearing 108, in which the rod 10a may be reciprocated. By reason or the spring106, an end 100 ct theslide rod 1041 is maintained in contact with thesuritace of a cam wheel 111, having a raised portion 112 thereon.

The cam 111 may be secured to the sl'iatt 8 and thus rotated with the driver 78. The

- cam may be properly positioned so that just before thedriver startsto move a head from the tires, the raised portion 112 of the cam 111 will engage the slide rod 104, thus open ing the valve 102 to permit a blast of air to be discharged upwardly through the exhaust tube. The discharge is. of relatively short duration, owing to, the shape and movement 01 the cam, which permits a reverse movement of the rod 104: anda closure of the valve 102.

As above stated, the jaws and 2)? ot a head may be automatically opened through the action of the lever arm 51 when. enga ed with the cam surface 53. W hen a hea is at the initial or loading position, as shown in Fig. 7, a cam member having a surface 53 may be properly positioned with respect to the moving heads and may be secured to the v stationary structure of the machine. However, when a head returns to the initial or it isnecessary to rovide a means for properly alignlng the mad to position it for engagement with the cam 53. Means for acwhen conveyor 73 moves a head from the position indicated by the letter F, the roller a loading position indicated by the letter A,

29 will engage the segment 11 1. The flat 0 portion 115 on the roller 29, melting contact with the surface 118 of the segment, will prevent further rotation 01 the head and align it, so that, as the conveyor moves the head to the position A, the roller 52 of the lever arm 51 will-engage the cam surface 53 and, by the time the head is in position .lor the loading operation, the jaws 36 and 37 will be opened.

in operation, assuming that a head is in position at the stage indicated by the letter A, it will, by reason of the cooperating.

machine elements, be properly aligned tor the loadin o oration, andthe-jaws 36 and 37 will be in t eir open positions.

The operator then actuates the pressermembers 56 and 57 by a downward pressure upon the finger pieces 63;. While the presser-rnembers are open, the operator may insert an, exhaust tube 1i0intothe aper- .v ture 33. Tllhe length or the aperture should be such as to cause the end l'i' of the exhaust tube to be exposedthat is, to extend above the seat 35.. The leading-in wires 141 and 15 oil? a mount 11 are disposed in the apertures 5 1 and 55 respectively. The mount may thus be properly positioned,'the linger pieces 63 released and the presser members 56 and 57 caused F to make contact with portions o1. theleading-in wires adjacent t Thus, the leadingin' wires will be held firmly in position and their tendency to spring away from the exhaust tube during subsequent operations will be eliminated.

A bulb may then be disposed with the neclr thereof about the exhaust tube arid leading-in wires and may be temporarily e end 17 ot the exhaust tube.

positioned by restin the neck thereof upon a the jaws close upon the bulb 12; This action of the jaws lifts the bulb fromthe seat 35, properly aligns and positions it with the filament or light source of the amount in a given relative position, preferablyin the 'of the bulb.

The-head is then moved to its next sta-' tionary stage, which is indicated by the let-. ter B, and rotated while fires 96 are caused to impinge u on and heat the concentrically disposed wor parts. During this stationplane of the greatest diameter ary stage of the conveyor, another head is? loaded. At the next stationary position indicated by the letter C, .fires are againcaused to locally heat the work parts, ren-' dering them more lastic. The same operation is performe at the'stage or station D, however, at this point, the proper union of the several parts will have been attained and, just before the conveyor begins to]. travel and the head leaves the fire, thevalvei 106 is operated to discharge a blast of air upwardly through the exhaust tube 10 in the bulb and the tube for exhaustin poses. At the next station E, the 99 may cause a relatively low-temperature purnealing operation. At the final stage F, a

time intervalis provided for a partial cooling of the work before removal, at the station A.

It will be ap reciated that the present invention provi es for the expeditious and economical production of miniature lamps.

Furthermore, a minimum amount of manual operations and comparatively small degree of skill is required for the production ofsueh lamps. 3

Although a preferred form of the invention is shown and described, it will be understood thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. What is claimed is':' 1. A sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comprising means for supporting a bulb, means for automatically "securing a bulb, means for supportin an exhaust tube with an end in the necli of saidbulb, means for sup ortin a mount with the-leading-in wires t h between the walls of said bulb and tube and means for heating said bulb and tube to effect a consolidation thereof.

2. A sealing-in machine for incandescent urner ereo positioned said mount in a given relation to said tube and bulb and means for heating said positioned bulb and tube to effect a consolidation thereof. v

. 3. A sealing-in machine for incandescent 'taining portions of the leading-in wires of electric lamps comprising means for supportin a bulb and exhaust "tube with portions t ereof in overlapped concentric relation, means for pressing the leadin -inwires of a mount in contact with sai exhaust tube and means for heating said positioned bplb and tubeto efiect a consolidation there- 0 I A sealingin machinefor incandescent electric lamps comprising ,reciprocable members to engage and support a bulb,

a tubular member to receive an exhaust tube and hold the same with an end thereof in the neck of said bulb, means for supporting 'a mount'with the .leadin in wires thereof positioned between saidbu b and tube, means forheating said bulb and tube to effect a f consolidation thereof and means for preventing a closure of the passage 'in said exhaust tube duringj the consolidation order to maintain communication between.

5. A sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comprising a pair of jaws, means to automatically actuate said jaws porting an-exhausttube' with an end thereof 1n the neck of said bulb, means for maintaining a inountin a gi-venrelation to said bulb,

means for retaining the leading-in wires of said mount in a given relation to said tube and bulb, means'for heating said positioned bulb and tube toefiect aconsolidation thereof and'means' for preventing a closure of the passage in said exhaust tube during the heating operation.-

6. A sealing-in machine for miniaturein- ,candescent electric lamps comprising means 'tube, means for pressing said wires against sald tube, means for heatingsaid bulb andtube to effect a consolidation thereof and means for forcing air thr(.u.1gh said exhaust .tube before said heated portionsolidifies.

, 7 A sealing-in machine for miniature incandescent electric lamps com rising means for supporting an exhaust tu e, means for supporting a mount in axial alignment with said exhaust tube, means for temporarily supporting a bulb with the neck portion thereof in overlapping relation to an end of said exhaust tube, means for automaticalfto secure and support-a bulb, means for sup- I fire to impinge upon the work for an an-.

- 1y adjusting said bulb in a concentric posicandescent electric lamps comprising means for. supporting an. exhaust tube, means tion with respect to said tube and mount and means for consolidating said bulb and tube A 8. A sealing in machine for miniature mfor supporting a mount in axial aligns ment with said exhaust tube, means for temporarily supporting a bulb with the neck portion thereof in' over-lap ping relation to" an end of said exhaust tube, means for automatically ad usting sa d bulb in a glVnnbOIiCQDtllo position with respect'to said mount, means for heating said positioned tube and bulb to effect a consolielectric lamps comprising means for supporting a bulb and exhaust tube with portions thereof overlapping, means ior supporting a mount with the leading-in wires thereof positioned between said bulb and tube, means for pressing said Wires against said tube, means forheating said bulb and tube to effect a consolidation thereof andmeans for automaticallydischarging air into said exhaust tube.

10. A sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comprising means for sup porting a bulb and an exhaust tube with portions thereof. overlapping, means for supporting a mount with the leading-in'wires thereof positioiuedbetween said bulb and tube, presser jaws for maintaining said leadin-g-in wires in contact with said exhaust tube and means for heating said-bulb an tube to effect a consolidation thereof. 11. A sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comp'rising'a head for supporting a bulb and an exhaust tube with portions thereof overlapping, means for supportinga mount with the leading-in wires thereof positioned between said bulb and tube, means for moving said head to convey lamp parts intermittently in' a series of stages, means for heating said bulb and tube to at least one of said stages to consolidate said parts and means for effecting a discharge of air through said exhaust tube at a predetermined stage throughout the path of movement of said lamp parts.

12. A sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comprising means for supporting a bulb and exhaust tube with portions thereof in overlapped concentric relation, a member having apertures to re ceive the leading-in wires of mounts, presser jaws for maintaining the said leading-in wires in contact with said exhaust tube, means for moving said positioned lamp parts in a series of intermittent stages,

means for applying heat to said exhaust tube and bulb at at leastone of said stages .and means for effecting a discharge of air through said exhaust tube prior to the movement of said lamp parts from a stationary stage. j

13. A sealing-in machine for incandes cent electric lamps comprising'fslidablc jaws, means for operating said jaws to secure a .bulb, means for supporting an exhau st tube in concentric relation to themeck .of said bulb, means/ for supporting'a mount with leading-in wires disposed adjacent said exhaust tube, pressure jaws for -maintainingthe leading-in wires in a given relation to said exhaust tube andmeans for heating said positioned bulb and tube to effect a consolidation thereof. i 14:. A sealing-in machine comprising a pair of slidable jaws, means for operatingsaid jaws to secure a bulb means for supporting an exhaust tube with an end thereof disposed in the neck of said bulb, a member having apertures to receive the leading-in- "wiresof amount, presser jaws for maintaining said leading-in wires inv close relation to said exhaust tube and means for heating said exhaust tube and bulb to effect a consolidation thereof; c

' l5. sealing-in machine for incandescent electric lamps comprising a pair of slidable jaws for securing a bulb, a member having a tubular aperture to receive and support an exhaust tube in a given relation toa bulb secured in said jaws, grooves in said member at opposite sides of said aper-v ture for the entrance of leading-in wires of a mount,*pres ser members for maintaining said leading-in wires in close relation to said exhaust tube, means for, heating said bulb and tube to efl'ect a consolida tion thereofand means for automatically discharging a blast of air throughsaid ex hausttube. V

16.- The method of'uniting' lamp parts ,which comprises positioning a bulb and a' tube with overlapping concentric portions, positioning a mount with leadin -in wires thereof disposed between said portions, heatingto render plastic said portions to. 'efiect their consolidation, directing a blast of air into said exhaust tube and holding the leading-in wires against the tube during the hardening of the plastic portion.

17. The method of uniting lamp parts which comprises positioning a bulb and a tube with overlapping concentric portions positioning a mount with leading-in wires thereof disposed between said portions, heating to-rendei" plastic'said portions to efiect their consolidation, directing a blast of air into said exhaust tube and pressing. the leading-in wires in contact with the exhaust' tube during the cooling of said plastic portions. L

18. The method of uniting lamp parts llltl which comprises positioning a tube and a holding the leading-in 'wires against the bulb with overlapping concentric portions, exterior surface of the tube to re'vent lat-1 positioning a mount with the leading-in eral movement of the wires uring said wires thereof placed between said portions, .cooling.

heating to render lastic said portions to In testimony whereof, I have hereunto efiect'their consoli ation, creatm a fluid subscribed my name this 9th day of J anupressure' within the tube and b ll du-ri ary, 1923. v

the cooling of said plastio portions an 7 JOHN JOSEPH HIGGINS. 

